- The park’s rules, which include leashing requirements and waste cleanup, were officially adopted by the Honesdale Borough Council.
- Funding for the dog park was provided by a state grant, borough funds, and in-kind work contributions.
- Council members also discussed the removal of old playground equipment in Central Park and plans for a new handicapped-accessible walking path in Riverside Park.
Apple Grove Dog Park in Honesdale is open and ready for visitors.
Honesdale Borough Councilor James Hamill, chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission, told fellow council members at their session Nov. 25 that the completion of the dog park is an “awesome development on our park system.”
There are two separately fenced areas, one for small and one for large canines. The facility is just off Fair Avenue and is part of Apple Grove Park. It is immediately north of the pool complex, with parking available at both the pool and Apple Grove side.
Although rules for using the facility already were posted, council made them official for the record with a unanimous vote. Hamill said they are standard rules, provided by Woodland Design, the Honesdale firm that designed the facility.
Dog park rules: What’s permitted and what’s not
Before the vote was taken, Councilor Noelle Mundy suggested adding a rule with words to the effect of prohibiting anyone without a dog from loitering in the area.
“It might just deter people from hanging out; if not, it’s just a suggestion. It seems logical you wouldn’t go there without a dog, however,” she said.
Council President James Brennan said the rules can be updated if loitering becomes an issue.
“Dog park rules are a good idea, but who enforces?” Councilor David Nilsen asked.
Mundy said if a problem is observed the borough office can be contacted.
The rules include:
- Use of the park at one’s own risk
- Owners are legally responsible for the behavior of their dogs
- Dogs must be leashed when entering or exiting the park
- Dog waste must be cleaned up by owners immediately
- Owners must be in the dog park and supervising their dog, with a leash available
- Dog handlers must be at least age 16; children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times
- Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately
- Dogs should be under voice control
Not permitted at the park, which opened Nov. 26, are human and dog food/treats, glass containers, dogs in heat, sick dogs, aggressive dogs and puppies under six months.
A date for the dog park’s dedication ceremony is being planned for this month.
PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded a grant of $114,000 for the project. Additional DCNR funds were sought to make up the difference. The grant included a $28,500 match funded by money the borough set aside for parks and in-kind work done by the Department of Public Works. In September, a bid from Reinfurt Excavating of $159,979 for the dog park was approved by council.
Christmas color comes to Honesdale; walking path plans
Hamill also acknowledged the efforts of the Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) and community volunteers for beautifying the town for the holidays, including the Christmas tree in Central Park and Christmas decorations on lamp posts on Main Street.
GHP coordinates the Santa Parade held the day after Thanksgiving and the ceremony that follows in Central Park, when the tree and star on the cliff are lit. The theme of Winter Wonderland at the ceremony celebrates that the famous song was written by Honesdale native Dick Smith, whose boyhood home on Church Street overlooks the park. Smith’s fond memories of snow falling in the park helped inspire the song, his late sister Marjorie had said, although there also wee other sources of his inspiration.
The old tan and green playground in Central Park has been removed, Hamill said. The equipment, installed in 2000, has deteriorated. Hamill expressed hope for new equipment in 2025, once grants are identified.
Hamill reported a statewide Local Share Account (LSA) grant of $297,000 was received to establish a handicapped-accessible walking path in Riverside Park, closer to the river than the street. It will extend from the Church Street bridge east toward the YMCA on East Park Street. The path will be an extension of the walk at the newly established Sycamore Point Park riverside trail off 12th Street.
The project will be done withing the next two years.
“We’re very appreciative of everybody’s efforts in the parks,” Hamill said. “And hopefully in the springtime we can get an Earth Day call to action, to get some people out there to come together and help clean up some areas of the parks and take ownership in our parks.”
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